Adjustable propeller



Nov. 13, 1951 M. K. BENSON ADJUSTABLE PROPELLER Filed Aug. 5, 1945 I N VEN TOR. fifffi/e 56/7600 B CE W -fl MW,

army/ma M su flu? Patented Nov. 13, 1951 Merle K. Benson, Benton Harbor, Mich., assignor to T -M-K Corporation, Davenport, Iowa, a .cor-

poration of Iowa 7 Application August 3, 1945, Serial'No. 608,746 12 claims. (01-170-46024) Thisinvention relates to improvements in ad justable propellers.

Themain objects of this invention are: Firstgto provide an adjustable. propeller well adaptedfor motor boats, outboard motors and the like in which adjustments may be yery quickly and easily made, theblades being simultaneously and uniformly adjusted andswhen adju'sted, readily clamped or secured in their adjusted positions;

Second, to provide a propeller having adjustableblades and one in which the adjusting means is very simple and compact and doesn'ot detract from the appearance-in fact, one which may beemb'odied' in a structure which is very at.

tractive' in appearance.

Third, to provide a structure having adjustable propeller blades in which there isno-slack in theblades after they have been adjusted- Fourth, to provide an adjusting mechanism for adjustable propeller blades which is; compact and light in weight and may be readily. embed led in propellers such for exampleas those used in outboard motors where weight is an important factor. Objects relating to detailsand economiesnf the invention will appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined and pointed out in the claims.

Preferred embodiments of thetinvention are illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in

which: 1 l

"Fig. his a rear-elevation ofa propeller em,- bodying my invention with the bladessapproxi- 'mately in feathering position, .certain structural details being indicated by dotted lines.

' a Fig. 2 is aside view partially in sectionon the broken line 2-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 an exploded view, showing only one -ofthe propeller blades, the parts other than the blades being shown in central longitudinal sec .tion. I Fig-. 4 is an enlarged fragmentaryviewxshow .ing the'relation of the propeller tothe huh and certain structural details thereofpthe view'being partially'insection on line "4-4 of Fig, 5 is a fragmentary view insection-on line .5-5of-Fig. 4. y 1 Fig-.- 6. is a fragmentary -view-partially. inlongitudinal section of a modified form or. embodi,- .ment of my. invention. In the embodiment of my invention shown in Figs, l to 5 inclusival represents thepropeller shaft having-a reduced portion 2 at its rear end adapted toreceive, the, adapter 3- ior the pro-- peller hub 4. The adapter is desirable in that it adapts the propeller to variousv designs and sizes otpropellershafts. It will be.-Junderstood .qr-z ceursethat interiorly. the adapter is shaped ,tdthe particular shaft on which the propellants,

tape used. The adapter is externally tapered to fltthe internal taper 5 of the hub 4.

The hub is provided with radial sockets .6 provided with internal threads, these sockets being open at one side, as best shown in Fig. 5. In efiect, the sockets are segmental.

The blades! are provided with stems 8 having segmental or mutilated threaded portions in threaded engagement with the threads of the sockets. The stems also have longitudinal rack teeth! providing segmental rack portions complementary to the threaded portions of the stems and exposed. through the side openings of the sockets.

The annular adjusting member ID is provided with rack segments IJ enacting with theracks or. the-propellerstems. These adjusting members III are rotatably supported on the shoulders [20f the clampingnuts l3 which are internally threaded at H to coact with the external threads [5 on the rear end of the ,hub. The clamping member 13. when loosened permits the rotative adjustment of the adjusting member 10 and that adjustment results in the simultaneous rotative adjustment of the blades. When properly adjusted, the clamping. member 13 is tightened. This-- clamps the adjusting member against the stems. and clamps the stems in the sockets. The threaded engagement of the blade stems with the sockets is provided to secure effective connection for the stems to the hubs. While some axial adjustment of the blades. takes place, this is soslight as not to materially change the diameter of the propeller. The adjusting member ill and the clamping member [3 are preferably peripherally knurled to facilitate manipulation.

The. adapter :is drawn into the hub by means of the. nut. I8 threaded upon the end of the adapter and secured by means of the cotter pin H, the nut being. of the castellated type.

In the embodiment shown. in Figs. 1 005, the clamping member I3 is provided with a rearwardly. projecting flange l8 having an, internal [groove 19 adaptedto receive the snap ring. 20. this Shop ring retainingly engaging the outwardly projecting flange 2| on the inner end of the housing 22.

In the embodiment of. my. invention shown in li'igIG the propeller shaft 23. has a rearwardly tapered end portion, the hub 24 being correspondingly tapered. The, retaining nut 25 is threaded upon the. end of the shaft to engage the end of the .hub. In this embodiment, the sockets 2 8 are. not threaded, the stems 2.1 of. the blades} .28 having segmental cylindrical portions fitting within thesockets. The. sockets, however; are. open onflone side and the bladestems are proirided with racks 29 corresponding to. the racks described. The adjustingmember ill and the clamping-.- member. L3. function as have been provided with annular grooves 30 which are engaged by the retaining member 3| secured to the hub and slotted at 32 to engage the groove porav:

tion of the stems. With the parts thus arranged,

the propeller blades may be quickly and uniformly adjusted.

While the propellers have a wide adaptation, this feature makes them particularly desirable for use in motor boats and the like where fishermen, for example, desire to travel rapidly to and from a fishing area and the blades may be adjusted for that purpose. At the fishing area, it is desirable to control the speed of the boat, for trolling or in casting, to move quietly about the area, and the blades can be adjusted to secure the desired speed.

I have illustrated and described my propeller in embodiments thereof which I consider highly practical. I have not attempted to illustrate or describe various embodiments or adaptations thereof for diiferent uses as it is believed that this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt my invention as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention,- what 'I claim as new and desire to secure byLetters Patent is:

l. In'a propeller, the combination of a hub provided with segmental radial internally threaded sockets open on their rear sides, said hub 'beingexternally threaded at its rear end, propeller blades having stems provided with segmental threaded portions in threaded engagement with said segmental threaded sockets and having segmental rack portions exposed through the side openings of said sockets, a clamping nut coacting with the threads of said hub, said clamping nut being externally shouldered on its inner side and having a rearwardly projecting annular fiange provided with an internal groove, an annular adjusting member rotatably mounted on the shoulder of said clamping nut and having racks on its inner edge coacting with the racks of said stems whereby on the rotation of said adjusting member the propeller blades are simultaneously and uniformly adjusted, said adjusting member being releasably clamped upon said stems by said clamping member, a housing member provided with a peripheral flange fitting within the flange of said clamping nut, and a snap ring engaging said groove in said, clamping nut flange for retaining said housing member. 7

2. In a propeller, the combination of a hub provided with segmental radial internally threaded sockets open on their rear sides, said hub being externally threaded .at its rear end, pro;- jpeller blades having stems provided with segmental threaded portions in threaded engagement with said segmental threaded sockets and having segmental rack portions exposed through the side openings of said sockets, a clamping nut coacting with the threads of said hub, said clamping nut being externally shouldered on its inner side, and an annular adjusting member rotatably mounted on the shoulder of said clamping nut and having racks on its inner edge coacting with the racks of said stems whereby on the rotation of said adjusting member the propeller blades are simultaneously and uniformly adjusted, said adjusting member being releasably clamped upon said stems by said clamping member.

' 3. In a propeller, the combination of an internally tapered hub provided with segmental radial internally threaded sockets open on one side, propeller blades having stems provided with segmental threaded portions in threaded engagement with said segmental threaded sockets and having segmental rack portions exposed through the side openings of said sockets, a clamping of said clamping nut and having racks on its inner edge coacting with the racks of said stems whereby on the rotation of said adjusting member the propeller blades are simultaneously and uniformly adjusted, said adjusting member being releasably clamped upon said stems by said clamping member, an externally tapered adapter within said hub, and a nut threaded upon the rear end of said adapter to draw the same into said hub.

4. In a propeller, the combination of a hub provided with segmental radial internally threaded sockets open on one side, propeller blades having stems provided with segmental threaded portions in threaded engagement with said segmental threaded sockets and having segmental rack portions exposed through the side openings of said sockets, a clamping nut having an axially threaded engagement with said hub, said clamping nut being externally shouldered on its inner side, and an annular ad usting member rotatably mounted on the shoulder of said clamping nut and having racks on its inner edge coacting with the racks of said stems whereby on the rotation of said'ad usting member the propeller blades :are' simultaneously and uniformly ad usted. said ad usting member being releasa ly clamped upon said stems by said'clamnin member. 1

5. In a propeller, the combination of an internally tapered hub provided'with sockets having side openings, propeller blades having stems having threaded engagement with said sockets and having segmental racks exposed through the said side openings thereof, a clamping nut threaded upon said hub, an annular adjusting member rotatably mounted on said clamping nut adjusted, said adjusting member being releasably olam ed u on said stems by said clamping member to anchor the blades in their adjusted position, an externally tapered adapter within said hub, and a nut threaded upon said adapter to draw the same into said hub.

6. In a propeller, the combination or a hub provided with sockets having side openings, propeller blades having stems having threaded engagement wi th said sockets and having segmental racks exposed through the saidside openings thereof, a clamping nut threaded upon said hub, andan annular adjusting member rotatablymounted on said clamping nut and having racks coacting with the racks of said stems whereby on the rotation of said adjusting member the propeller blades are simultaneously adjusted, said adjusting member being releasably :provided with sockets having side openings,'propell erblade's having stems having threaded-engagement with said'sockets and'having racks exposed through the said side openings thereof, a clamping nutthreaded upon said hub and having a rearwardly projecting annular flange, an annular adjusting member rotatably mounted on said clamping nut and having racks coacting with the racks of said stems whereby on the rotation of said adjusting member the propeller blades are simultaneously adjusted, said adjusting member being releasably clamped upon said stems by said clamping member to anchor the blades in their adjusted position, and a housing member detachably secured within the peripheral flange of said clamping member.

8. In a propeller, the combination of a hub provided with radial sockets having segmental side openings through one face of said hub. blades provided with stems engaged in said sockets and having segmental rack toothed portions of said stems exposed through said socket side openings, the sides of the sockets opposite from the segmental side openings thereof having walls for supportingly and slidingly engaging the sides of the stems opposite the segmental toothed portion thereof, a blade adjusting and clamping member provided with racks coacting with said rack teeth, and a clamping nut threaded upon said hub and radially supporting and axially adjustably supporting said adjusting member whereby the blades may be simultaneously adjusted on their axes, said nut clamping said adjusting member in its adjusted position upon said stems and releasably clampingly engaging the sides of the stems opposite from the segmental toothed portions thereof against the walls of the sockets opposite the segmental side openings thereof, said hub having a centrally disposed opening therethrough for the reception of propeller operating means.

9. In a propeller, the combination of a hub provided with radial sockets having segmental side openings, blades provided with stems engaged in said sockets and having segmental rack toothed portions of said stems exposed through said socket side openings, the sides of the sockets opposite from the segmental side openings thereof having walls for supportingly and slidingly engaging the sides of the stems oppositethe segmental toothed portion thereof, a blade adjusting and clamping member provided with racks coacting with said rack teeth, and a clamping member axially adjustably supporting said adjusting member whereby the blades may be simultaneously adjusted on their axes, said clamping member clamping said adjusting memher in its adjusted position upon said stems and releasably clampingly engaging the sides of the stems opposite from the segmental toothed portions thereof against the walls of the sockets opposite the segmental side openings thereof. said hub having a centrally disposed opening therethrough for the reception of propeller operating means.

10. In a propeller, the combination of a hub provided with sockets having segmental side openings, propeller blades having stems disposed in said sockets and having segmental racks exposed through the openings thereof, the sides of the sockets opposite from the segmental side openings thereof having walls for supportingly engaging the sides of the stems opposite from the segmental racks thereof, a clamping member carried by said hub, and an adjusting member carried by said clamping member and having racks coacting with the racks of said stems whereby on the adjustment of said adjusting member the propeller blades are simultaneously adjusted, said adjusting member being releasably clamped upon said stems by said clamping member, and said sides of the stems opposite from said segmental racks thereof being releasably clampingly engaged upon the walls of the socket opposite from the segmental side openings thereof by said clamping member to anchor the blades in their adjusted positions, said hub having a centrally disposed opening therethrough for the reception of propeller operating means.

11. In a propeller, the. combination of a hub provided with radial sockets having side openings, blades provided with stems having annular grooves at their outer ends, said stems having segmental cylindrical portions coacting with said socketsand rack portions within said socket side openings, an annular blade adjusting and clamping member provided with racks coacting with said rack teeth, and a clamping nut threaded upon said hub and having a shoulder rotatably supporting said adjusting member whereby the blades may be simultaneously adjusted on their axes, said nut clamping said adjusting member in its adjusted position upon said stems, and a retaining member secured upon said hub and transversely slotted to engage the peripheral grooves in said blade stems.

12. In a propeller, the combination of a hub provided with radial sockets having side openings along segments of the sides of said sockets, blades provided with stems having segmental cylindrical portions coacting with said sockets and segmental rack portions within said socket side openings, the sides of the sockets opposite from the side openings thereof having walls for supportingly engaging the cylindrical portions of the stems, anannular blade adjusting and clamping member provided with racks coacting with said rack teeth, and a clamping nut threaded upon said hub and having a shoulder rotatably supporting said adjusting member whereby the blades may be simultaneously adjusted on their axes, said nut clamping said adjusting member in its adjusted position upon said stems and releasably clampingly engaging the cylindrical portions of said stems against the walls of said sockets opposite from the side openings thereof, said hub having a centrally disposed opening therethrough for the reception of propeller operating means.

-MERLE K. BENSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

v UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 446,584 Nickum Feb. 17, 1891 517,428 Boyer Apr. 3, 1894 546,630 Tuerk Sept. 17, 1895 1,496,776 Fuller June 10, 1924 1,509,286 Colby Sept. 23, 1924 1,542,412 Reed June 16, 1925 1,999,326 Forsyth Apr. 30, 1935 2,054,947 Riddle Sept. 22, 1936 2,109,696 Hackethal Mar. 1, 1938 2,156,047 Arnold Apr. 25, 1939 2,339,090 McIntosh Jan. 11, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 11,578 Great Britain Feb. 14, 1907 393,358 Germany Apr. 8, 1924 104,286 Australia June 17, 1938 

